Consumer demand in East
and South East Asia for high value foods and beverages is
driving export growth and diversification, a new Government
report shows.

‘What does Asia Want for Dinner?
Emerging Market Opportunities for New Zealand food &
beverages in East & South East Asia’ was released
today by Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy.

The report finds
that New Zealand’s overall food and beverage export
performance to Asia is excellent; performing strongly in
dairy, as well as in meat, seafood, produce and processed
foods.

“Asia is the fastest growing food market in the
world and is increasingly important for New Zealand
exports”, Mr Joyce says.

The report looks beyond New
Zealand’s core export categories and finds there is strong
demand for infant formula, dairy nutritionals and innovative
foods. It also shows there are significant opportunities in
a range of high value categories such as chilled salmon,
honey, chocolate, sparkling wine, beer, avocadoes, alcoholic
spirits and cherries.

Mr Guy says together these categories already generate
more than a $1 billion of exports for New Zealand.

“In
the past twenty years New Zealand wine, honey, aquaculture,
avocados and processed foods have all emerged to be
significant new export sectors, and this report shows there
are further opportunities in East and South East Asia,” Mr
Guy says.

“Through the Business Growth Agenda, the
Government has made major investments to drive innovation,
productivity and diversification in New Zealand’s food and
beverage industry, so that we can continue to meet demand
and grow this sector,” Mr Joyce says.

The report is the
latest in the Ministry of Business, Innovation and
Employment’s Food and Beverage Information Project series,
and complements reports already published in the New Zealand
Sectors Report Series.

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